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Sir Ilivan grumbles Cultists. I told you. That was dangerous too, you could've gotten us all killed there.
"Could have. Didn't. With that attitude I would have just stayed home." Swayaah grunts. Coward. Dad never would have run. "What do we do with these two?" Swayaah points to the sleeping peasants. "They seemed scared out of their minds. Since they're going to get killed out here, I guess we should tie them up, or something."
With a heavy sigh, Swayaah drops her earthbreaker and inspects the two non-bloated peasants. Realizing they are are dead, she uses her claws to eviscerate them. "At least no more demons can wear these two anymore."
Swayaah's tail pulls out a wand. "Anyone needs to recover? It's on the house."
"Let's hurry up, since we've lost precious time." Sarcasm drips from Swayaah's voice.
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Wadi scours the forest floor looking for his misfired bolts. It would not do to waste such valuable ammunition. Once he has found them, he returns to the others. He nods emotionlessly at Swayaah's actions. "Yes, best to make sure these demons will not return. It seems my instincts were correct here. This was set up to ensnare us. Still...I am always glad to banish these foul demons back whence they came!" A note of passion creeps into his voice at the end.
Swayaah eviscerates the two dead peasants, just as the other two () wake up from them sleep. Seeing Swaayah standing over the disemboweled remains of their townsmen, they freak out and scream...
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Mom said, always be thorough. When you strike, leave nothing behind for your enemy to claim. Swayaah is startled by the screams of the peasants. Crap! I thought they would sleep at least a little longer! Mom also said to keep it discrete, ya doof.
"Umm. Demons took their bodies, then killed them! I'm just making sure they don't come back!"
Swayaah skitters behind Aetherys fueled by pure instinct and fear.
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Sighing deeply, Aetherys does her best to calm the peasants. "You need not fear, the danger is over. Your kinsmen were possessed by demons, but we put an end to the infestation. Could you help us burn the bodies?"
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Aetherys and Krux manage to calm down the peasants a bit. Still upset they fall to their knees Thank you, then, thank you for saving us. These demons... they took the dead bodies and lived in them, then commanded our townsmen to beat us up. It was horrible.
Sir Ilivan looks on without any readable emotion on his face. Are we done, now? We must get to the fort.
Eventually, the group sets out to Fort Portolmaeus.
The group spots a dark plume of smoke in the distance. That's coming from the fort Sir Ilivan says, as it is pointed out to him.
Fort Portolmaeus sits on a tall rock outcropping in the West Sellen River, surrounded by rushing waters on three sides. A stout, stone bridge connects the fort to the river’s
eastern bank, with a closed wooden drawbridge protecting the final approach. The keep itself is built of dark stone with tall curtain walls surrounding a squat central keep that peeks out above the outer fortifications.
Portolmaeus has been the scene of a recent battle. Soldiers dressed in the colors of Mendev move around it making repairs, while others use carts to remove the bodies of humans and demons slain in the recent attack.
A patrol of 4 horsemen appears. “Halt in the name of the Queen!”
Sir Ilivan is on guard, and tells the group Keep your hands away from your weapons while I deal with this. He then raises his hands and calls out [b]That the Black Prince might be redeemed”.
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After Aetherys and Krux calms down the people, Swayaah thanks them. "Thanks a million, you two. I'm not exactly a people person. Seeing people shriek at my presence is... par for the course." Swayaah frowns. She starts a handshake, then realizes they are covered in gore. "I'm glad we rescued them, though."
Swayaah's been quiet on the trip over to the fort. Keeping herself quiet. As instructed, her earthbreaker and bow are stowed away, although she can't do anything about her claws.
"I don't suppose that fire is normal? I don't get burned easily, can I help put it out?" Maybe I'll get on their good side if I help protect the place.
You should wait outside. Strict policy. one of the guards says to Wadi.
The guards raise a portcullis studded with cold iron spikes, after which a handful of soldiers lead the group through a narrow zigzag tunnel to the central courtyard. The fort’s central building sits squat in its center, an impressive, monolithic edifice with few openings. A number of young stable boys come out from a side building to care for the pathfinders' mounts and the horse of Sir Ilivan, quartering them in the stables.
With the mounts taken care of, the party is led into the central building to meet Commander Manaria Wardroxan, a charismatic young nobleman with pale skin and black hair who is dressed in a mud-spattered uniform that hasn’t been changed since the last battle.
Commander Wardroxan relates the previous night’s events with obvious regret. “The demons attacked in the dead of night, a mixed group of dretches and schirs led by a terrifying brimorak, a creature of horn, claw, and fire. The wardstone had been buzzing like it is now, and it didn’t seem to stop them. They captured a scout patrol alive and staked them out on the ground in front of the fort. There they tortured them close enough for us to hear. I am ashamed to say that we deliberated on whether we had the strength to retaliate, but as the screaming and begging continued, I sent our cavalry to put at end to the suffering.”
She sighs heavily before continuing, “Of course it was a trap. A group of schirs wielding halberds met our cavalry and wasted no time in dragging them from their horses. The dretches then overwhelmed them with sheer numbers, clubbing them into submission. They slaughtered the horses and dragged off the soldiers while we looked on helplessly from behind the fort’s wall. I sent out another party after that, but most of the demons had already withdrawn with our captured men.”
I simply do not have the reserves to send out a rescue mission, Wardroxan says but a specialised team such as yourself may have a shot at rescuing these brave men, before it's too late.
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After the battle with the bloated peasants Saera reloads her musket with another cold iron bullet and black powder. She also hands her own healing wand over to Swayaah. "Thanks for the offer, but I have my own healing wand with me. Could you use this wand one me? You shouldn't have to spend your charges on me right now."
After the healing Saera takes back her wand. "Thanks!"
When the party gets to the fort, Saera feels bad about leaving one of her companions behind. "I hope we'll be back soon," she tells Wadi as she follows the others inside.
Saera nods after hearing the request made by Commander Wardroxan. "Give us the information we need and we'll be on our way."
Wardroxan continues to decscribe the direction in which the demons were seen headed off. During the briefing, Ilivan keeps stoically silent, but afterwards he mutters A fool's errand. Trap upon trap, these demon lure us in further and further. Wardroxan is just inexperienced, and wrack by guilt over a poor decision. She shouldn't let her judgement be clouded like that. His voice lacks any kind of empathy for the plight of the captured cavalrymen.
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Aetherys sighs, but gives a compassionate look to Sir Ilivan. "You cannot ignore their plight, Sir Ilivan. It is not only your duty, but a deed revealing of our own human nature. You know that you have this empathy within your heart, if you look deep inside. I know that you have this in you, if you would only allow yourself to open up. If you let them go, then the demons will have truly won, not only here in the Worldwound, but in the battlefield of your own heart."
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Swayaah pities him. Her father spoke to her once about losing that hope, losing the idea that good felt good. He wandered aimlessly, helping people but not helping himself. It never got easier.
"If this is a trap, we'll smash it to bits and tear some demons down. If it isn't a trap, we'll help our fellow man. I don't see a downside to this."
Swayaah is obviously ignoring the possibility that it is a trap and it could kill them. Oops.
Zarta Dralneen wants to have information on the defences of the Mendelian crusaders. This is an excellent opportunity: You can study the engineering of the castle with a K(engineering) or Spellcraft check, and the wardstone - a magical ward against demons - with a K(arcana, religion, or planes) check.
Commander Wardroxan offer the adventurers access to the armoury. Among the available supplies are 2 potions of cure moderate wounds, 3 potions of shield of faith (CL 6th), 10 flasks of holy water, and any simple or martial weapon ()
Sir Ilivan responds to Aetherys: you sure are a stubborn lot. Very well, I shall accompany you on this mad quest.
Sir Morgan gives the PCs a small map that marks a shallow ford across the West Sellen River where they can cross with their mounts.
You manage to pick up the kidnapped soldier's trail
There's traces of three demons driving eight humans.
Two of the demons are dretches, while one is a fiery brimorak that leaves charred hoof prints in the ground.
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"Thanks for letting us in." Swayaah nods to Commander Wardroxan. "We'll bring them back, or at least confirm what happened to them."
Swayaah nabs a potion of Shield of Faith. "Yeah, this will help."
you sure are a stubborn lot. Very well, I shall accompany you on this mad quest.
"Yeah, we're pretty stubborn. Ain't it grand?" Swayaah giggles.
As they leave the compound, Swayaah turns to Wadi. "So what, they didn't let you in because you had an evil wand? Pfft, how did Saera and I get in? Do I not scream 'evil'?" Swayaah winks. "But seriously, we're going to rescue some kidnapped soldiers. Or walk into some demon infested trap, according to Lord Sourpuss. Either way, it should be super exciting! Come on."
Swayaah spends her time glaring at the ground, looking for something. Something...
"Here's the trail. Three demons driving eight humans. I don't know which type of demons though. Really should ask mom about that."
Swayaah points out the tracks, hoping someone else can identify the demon trail.
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She has no knowledge at all about engineering, arcana, religion, or planes. The wardstone looks very pretty to her.
"I was about to get myself a wand like you have, Wadi," Saera says when the party's complete again. "It was a last minute change of heart that made me purchase a wand of cure light wounds instead. Maybe I'll get one of infernal healing in the future."
Saera nods when Swayaah points out the trail. "I saw the trail, but wasn't able to learn that much from it. I wish I could at least identify the demons now you point their tracks out to me..."
The Worldwound is a very dangerous place, and not only because it’s filled with powerful, ruthless beings out to destroy mortals, body and soul. Here the border between Golarion and the Abyss grows thin, allowing the chaos, evil, and madness of that realm to spill forth and corrupt everything in its path.
[spoiler-DC 20 K(Planes)]
The corruption destroyed many plants and mutated others, giving rise to flora such as rageweed, whose pollen triggers short-lived but devastating allergic reactions.
[/spoiler]
Sara and Swayaah start hearing things... Little mutterings, soft whispers. These travelling companions... whispering derogatory remarks. Accusations, lies. Prejudice. Vileness. Treason.
Sir Ilivan stops his horse and slides from his saddle.
Fortunately for the pathfinders, the hallucinatory effects have no further consequences, though something has spooked Sir Ilivan pretty badly. He remains on the ground in fatal position, unwilling to move in any sense.
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"What? What are they saying? What are they calling me? Those..I should..." Swayaah gives sideways glances at the party, sometimes mumbling to herself.
Finally she stops her horse. "Look. If you guys got something to say, say it to my face." A tense pause later, Swayaah shakes out of it. "S-sorry, something about this place is getting to me. I guess this is the Abyss, right? Mom never liked this place."
Swayaah gets off her horse and looks around, leading herself back to Sir Iilvan. "It's going to feel a lot better if you talk it out, man. What are these demons telling you? Speak."
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As kind as ever, the elf lays a comforting hand in the traumatized knight's shoulder.
"Sir Ilivan, the nightmare has passed now. Let your past wounds heal, and turn to the future. You need not live with your wracking guilt. Come back to us, show us what it is to be a knight." she says, attempting to bring back peace of mind to the knight.
They... stop them... I didn't... Sir Ilivan finally says. Confused he looks up I thought... I thought they had me again. I've lost control before. These demons, you know, they're not just claws and teeth. The invade not just the land, but your head as well. They're vile in the most unthinkable ways. I once... was possessed by them. They forced me... or rather, they took over. Made me watch from within, while my hands murdered my comrades. The looks on their face!
Sir Ilivan then regains a degree of control. Alright, on with this errand. There is a dangerous land ahead of us.
As the trek continues, the ground becomes broken, and looks as if flesh-like blisters or pustules taint the ground.
There are in fact tainted wasp nests, just below the surface. Better not to step onto them.
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Swayaah nods at Sir Ilivan. "They invade your mind. They invade your body. But they can never invade your soul, unless you let them. You didn't, and that's the most important thing. In the end, they have no souls and the envy that stems from that..." Swayaah shrugs. "Causes them to do all of this."
"That's why I'm out here, I guess. I want to laugh in their face and tell them they'll never get my soul, and my mind and body are my own. I know that's what keeps you fighting out here, too. Otherwise you would have given up years ago."
"So, hop on that saddle and let's get going already. There are eight people whose bodies and minds we may be able to save."
Seeing Sir Ilivan has recovered, Swayaah hops back on her horse. "Sorry. I'm really chatty."
Dvalin and Saera manage to warn the group in time to be alert for the emerging wasp swarms. Two of the underground nests spring to life, and pour forth swarms of abyssal wasps.
These swarms have been tainted by the world wound, and are vulnerable to holy water
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Aetherys
Dvalin
Saera
Wadi
Swayaah
Krux
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Wasp swarm
Wasp swarm
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"That wasn't you, Sir Ilivan. You are not guilty of killing these people." she replies kindly, hugging the weeping knight.
*****
"These swarms have the taint of the Worldwound, we can harm them with the holy water Wardroxan gave us!"
She grasps one of the vials she was given, and tosses it into the northern swarm.
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"It's alright, Sir Ilivan. I'm sure none of us will be killed by your hands, if that's what you're afraid of."
Though I'd prefer not to, we'll just knock you out if necessary.
"Agh! Stop the whispering!" Saera says when the voices start to get on her nerves. She was sure of it now: she didn't like this place one bit.
When the wasps appear Saera sighs. "Great... how am I supposed to shoot those?"
Saera reaches for one of the holy water bottles instead, takes a 5-foot step north, and throws the bottle at the nearest swarm.
True enough, the holy water does its work, and the water burns away the wasps as if it is a potent acid. As the wasps move up, Aetherys, Saera, Swaayah and Dvalin manage to bathe the wasp swarm in holy water. Wadi misses, but manages to still splash some water onto the oncoming swarm.
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Aetherys
Dvalin
Saera
Wadi
Swayaah
Krux
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Wasp swarm (26)
Wasp swarm
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Krux moves out as the swarms move up to engulf Aetehrys and Swayaah, covering them in painful stings from the Abyssal wasps.
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Aetherys
Dvalin
Saera
Wadi
Swayaah
Krux
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Wasp swarm (26)
Wasp swarm
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"Pffft. Pffft. Pfffft!" Swayaah spits up Abyssal bees as the swarms sting her. She tries to hold it together...
And she does! These bugs are too small to hit with her weapons directly, so she backs out of the swarm and drops another flask of holy water on it.
"These stings will take weeks to wear off!"